FINDLAY -- Since Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert took office in January of 2008, he hasn't seen a lot of good economic things happen.
The economy slowed and the jobless rates went up; so when he got the recent news that the Cooper Tire and Rubber plant will be expanding, you can imagine his relief.
“Last year at this time we were worried about losing Cooper,” said Sehnert.
Now the company has announced a $10 million dollar investment in the plant, mostly in automation.
With the company's expansion comes the real good news for Findlay residents, 9.1% of whom are unemployed.
The plant will need to fill 100 new jobs.
“That's 100 more people working. That's 100 more people spending their money in our community, paying their bills, paying their taxes so it means a lot,” said Sehnert.
“Looks like business is picking up,” said Larry Williams, a sales forecaster at Cooper's Findlay headquarters.
He along with other employees know a lot of people will be burning rubber, moving fast to apply for the jobs.
“I think it's a good thing for the community and it's definitely something we need at this point in time,” said Williams.
Mayor Sehnert says Home Depot has also committed to building and bringing 300 jobs to the Flag City.
Whirlpool just brought over 100 jobs and now with the news of Cooper's commitment, after almost two years of budget cuts and layoffs all around town; Sehnert says things are finally starting to look up.
“It's always good to hear that people are adding jobs and money to your community,” said Sehnert.
Anyone interested in applying for one of the 100 new jobs you can go to www.coopertire.com.
Click on the “about us” link then on the “careers” link.
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